Fifty-Year-Old Highway 50 Gets Facelift
A major Sacramento freeway project is underway. Caltrans began work to widen Highway 50 and construct a new bridge that will attach the two existing westbound and eastbound spans. The new bridge will turn the W-X into a superstructure spanning nearly a city block in width. The larger roadway will allow space for new HOV or carpool lanes in both directions.
The project will also restore the 50+-year-old pavement and modernize Highway 50 from the I-5 interchange to Watt Avenue. According to Caltrans, the project is slated to reach completion within approximately four years. The targeted completion date is December 2024.
The current road surface was constructed between 1967 and 1971. Its age means it needs to be replaced. In its current condition, the pavement requires yearly repairs. Additionally, Caltrans has discovered severe faulting and cracking in the number one and number two lanes in both directions of travel.
Steps Taken to Minimize Resident Disruptions
One of the first steps in the construction project will be to build a sound wall that will protect residents of the Elmhurst and Tahoe Park neighborhoods from freeway noises.
Detours to accommodate the road work will occur only at night. During daytime hours, it is anticipated that motorists will continue to have use of all four lanes.
A Displaced Farmer’s Market
The new project required that the popular Sunday certified farmers’ market that historically resided under the freeway near Southside Park be moved. Its new location is in the parking lot near Sears at Arden Fair Mall. While a date for the market to return to its original site has not yet been determined, it is estimated it will remain in its temporary Arden location until at least December 2021.
While the market’s move is disappointing to many downtown and midtown residents, the new location, which kicked off on March 21, 2021, is drawing raves for its easy and abundant parking. The market will continue to operate at Arden during its usual hours of 8:00 a.m. to noon every Sunday.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below is a report by Good Day Sacramento about the market’s move.
A Displaced Population
The same area that hosted the Sunday farmers’ market had become residence to many unhoused Sacramentans as well. Before the bridge construction project began, they were informed that they must vacate the area. The individuals were given 72 hours’ notice and provided with information about open shelters and other resources, according to a CalTrans spokesperson.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for reading our exploration of the new Highway 50 project. My name is Ed Smith, and I’ve been a car accident lawyer in Sacramento for nearly four decades. Road construction can confuse motorists and lead to accidents. Already, Northern California is home to a high number of motor vehicle collisions daily. I have dedicated my career to advocating for injured Sacramento residents, as well as Northern Californians in other regions. Having a skilled and experienced lawyer on your side after you have been injured by a negligent party can be crucial to the success of your case. It can also be beneficial to your physical recovery, as it relieves some of the worries from your mind. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries following a motor vehicle accident caused by a careless or reckless driver, please don’t hesitate to call our injury lawyers for compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice. Our local number is (916) 921-6400. From outside the region, please use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400. If you prefer to communicate electronically, feel free to fill out our online form.
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Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/construction-worker-industry-4241847/
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